Tuner Holes in headstock!

[paulswifka]

Im trying to figure out how I can put in Fender Tuners or locking tuners on a Squire guitar, but I have to drill out the holes because, well most of you know the holes for the Squire are smaller than the Fenders, I was curious what size drill but to use to make the holes bigger...thanks
Paul

[tap4154]

Actually my Squiers all have larger tuner holes than my Fenders, and need adapter bushings for Gotoh vintage tuners.

In any case, the tuners you buy should have information as to what size hole to drill packed with them, or online. There's no way any of us could know, not knowing what tuners you have.

[SPUDCASTER]

TDPRI member Thighbanez was in search of such an animal. You might send him a PM and see if he found something that will just drop in.

Good luck!

[supernewt]

In my experience there are two sizes of tuner holes - larger for modern and smaller for vintage style as I recall - and you just buy the replacement that fits.

[yz250f49]

I used a tapered reamer when I upgraded my Squiers to better tuners.

You don't want to use a powered drill...

Do a little at a time from both sides until you can fit the new tuners in.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by supernewt

In my experience there are two sizes of tuner holes - larger for modern and smaller for vintage style as I recall - and you just buy the replacement that fits.

Yes, and no. There tends to be 2 sizes (large and small) for import necks and 2 sizes (large and small) for domestics. And sometimes the MIM hole sizes are more import and sometimes they're the same as the USA models. The holes may LOOK the same but they're merely close, sometimes.

From what the OP is saying I will guess he has an import/vintage sized hole. If he insists on enlarging the hole, I would go for 10.0 mm (also known as 3/8ths) and get there with a Reamer and not a drill bit of any kind. There's a "Hansen" brand reamer sold by Irwin which is USA made and sells for just under $ 10.00. Recommended, and found in most real hardware stores (not big boxes like HD).

[Chud]

Different tuners are going to have different size hole diameters (I like Sperzels on some of my guitars, vintage Kluson styles on my Teles), which should be specified on the packaging depending on which tuners you settle on. If the packaging is lackaging (sorry, had to...lol) the information should be readily available once you actually know the specific tuners you are going to use. Beyond that it's a simple matter of drilling/reaming out to that size. Hopefully if you are already handy enough to be planning on drilling we don't need to instruct you further in that regard... ;)